Arsene Wenger in race against time to sign emergency keeper as Wojciech Szczesny is ruled out until end of April

Arsene Wenger is facing a goalkeeping crisis at Arsenal with Wojciech Szczesny expected to be sidelined for longer than first feared.

The Polish keeper dislocated his finger in the Champions League exit in Barcelona on Tuesday but it was initially hoped he wouldn't be out for long than two to three weeks.

However, boss Wenger has revealed that Szczesny is unlikely to return before the end of next month.

Nightamre: Wojciech Szczesny is treated after dislocating his finger at Barcelona

That will speed up his attempts to bring in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan move with Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone, who was on loan at Hull City, also crocked.

Wenger said: 'We need now an experienced goalkeeper as cover for Almunia because Mannone is out for six weeks so we cannot call on him.

'Mannone is here at the training
ground having treatment but he cannot play for the next six weeks. We
can call him back but he is not available.

'We have Wojciech out, in my opinion
for six weeks. We have Fabianski out for the rest of the season. We
need absolutely some cover in goal.'

Big chance: Manuel Almunia picks the ball out of the net after coming on at the Nou Camp

Wenger will now concentrate on signing an experienced back-up to Almunia. He is allowed to bring in someone on loan, or a free agent.

Almunia had looked set to leave Arsenal during the January transfer window, but the Spaniard now finds himself thrust back into the first-team picture ahead of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United.

Wenger has been impressed with Almunia's approach to the situation. 'He is very professional, [has a] very dignified attitude and overall he has done very well,' the Arsenal boss said.

Injured: Vito Mannone is also sidelined for six weeks

'Yes, he has done quite well when he came on [against Barcelona] and was quite busy in the final part of the game and he did very well.'

Wenger does not expect any of his senior squad to be happy just warming the bench. 'When I took Jens Lehmann out, who [had] made only one mistake, and put Almunia in, Lehmann came in the next day and fought even harder,' said the Frenchman. 'That's what I believe our job is about.'